MyWorldBlog - The Latest News From MyWorldAbroad

There are multiple prevailing myths about how students and young professionals find international jobs and start building global careers. Could you be planning your international future based on these fairy tales? Debunking the Myths is a must-read Quick Guide, describing some of the most popular (false) beliefs about international career building. Check it out now – and get realistic about your future abroad.

An internship placement was one of the mandatory components of Sheila’s undergraduate degree, and to fulfill the requirement she chose to travel to Huacho, Peru, where she worked first for the water utility and then for the Ministry of the Environment. Get a glimpse of life in an ever-changing cross-cultural workplace.

What skills do international employers expect you to have? What can you expect from your international career? What jobs are going to be available to you after you graduate? What qualities should you start developing to ensure your success? And what happens when you want to have a family? The Ideal International Profile section on MyWorldAbroad's main site (for registered users) provides answers to all these questions, but below you'll find a few of the key tips for those hoping to start building international career potential now.

Having previously volunteered with the Peace Corps in Mozambique for two years, Jimmy knew he wanted to head back to Africa to visit his friends and make new connections. Jimmy’s story illustrates the excitement of traveling alone, and the importance of venturing beyond the tourist traps.

With more than 1.6 million civilian employees, the US Government is the largest employer in the country. There are many ways to build internationally-oriented careers within the governmental system; and in the US Government section on the main MyWorldAbroad site (for registered users), we outline five possible career focuses: international affairs, development, intelligence, trade and the military. Applying to government jobs is different than the private sector. The tips below will help provide some insight to the recruitment process.

If you’re a student or young professional starting out on an international career, you’ve almost certainly heard the term “elevator pitch” before. An elevator pitch, simply put, is a short, comprehensive (and hopefully impressive) description of your skills, experience and objectives. You should always have an elevator pitch prepared – because you never know when you’ll run into a potential mentor or manager who surprises you with the phrase: “Tell me about yourself.” Do you have your answer ready, or will you struggle to present the most relevant information about your professional self?... Read the full article

When Ashley decided that she wanted to have a real adventure abroad, she applied to study in China, where her positive attitude and passion for excitement helped her fully engage with the local community. While abroad, Ashley learned about Chinese culture, but also – surprisingly – about American culture, and how we appear in a foreign context.

Although many young people assume that they can just hop on a plane and start their trip, being prepared to travel is absolutely crucial. Preparation will save you time and money abroad. Travel Smarts is a must-read section of the main MyWorldAbroad site. It tells you how to get ready, how to stay safe and how to make the most of your time abroad.

Top Tips
Prepare, prepare, prepare: The more time you can give yourself to plan before going abroad, the better.
Read up: Know the history and latest news of the country you are traveling to. It will tip you off about potential danger zones... Read the full article

After completing tours of duty as a reservist with the Canadian Armed Forces, Scott knew he wanted to become involved in community development work on the ground in Africa. Spending several months working with a grassroots NGO in Uganda, Scott was able to gain a valuable, eye-opening perspective on the challenges facing the populations he was working to assist.

Read more in the Stories from Abroad section. Have a story to share? Tell us about it!

The thought of hopping on a plane to help the sick and needy is thrilling and inspiring. But, working internationally in the health care field is not quite as simple as that. Read this section to get a sense of what your options are.

Top Tips
Health is a growth industry: Developing nations are in constant need of certified medical professionals to fight famine and disease. Hospitals, companies, NGOs and IGOs are just some of the employers generally in need of qualified professionals.
Understand why you want to go abroad: Are you going because of your desire to participate in... Read the full article